The gardening books emphasize the need for planning and
designing. Landscaping involves the
combination of small flowering plants, bushes, trees, and non-animate objects
like ponds, fountains, rock paths and structures, wooden structures, and
miscellaneous art objects placed strategically around the property. Obviously it is possible to have too much or
too little, therefore the necessity to plan and design the appearance of the
property.
Generally the majority of the space will be in grass. I need to deal with areas of full sun and
almost full shade with moss. I have determined to aerate in early spring,
change the watering pattern, and seed some areas with shade grass.
Then it is necessary to plan the layout of the garden areas considering
the location of vegetables, flower beds, shrubs, trees, and man-made structures
like trellises, ponds, rock work, and paths.
Spring
· If the mulch that you
applied in fall consists of a coarse material, such as large, unshredded
leaves, or if the mulch tends to mat down over time and form a barrier, then
you should generally remove that layer of mulch in spring at a time when the
threat of severe cold has passed (https://www.thespruce.com/spring-landscape-maintenance-tips-2130818)
· Rake lawn, deeply, to
remove thatch and snow mold
·
Get rid of moss. The potential causes and solutions are:
o
Cause: Low soil
pH. Solution:
Raise pH
o
Cause: Lack of necessary nutrients in the soil. Solution:
Addition of nutrients indicated by soil test
o
Cause: Poor drainage. Solution:
Change watering schedule
o
Cause: Excessive shade. Solution:
Plant shade grass.
o
· Aeration if soil is compacted
· Decide on location and types of vegetables and
fruits to be grown
·
The early spring
flowers are very colorful but don’t last long:
o Daffodils, iris, tulips, lilies, forsythia, lilacs
o The bulb flowers can be interspersed with annuals
like pansies
·
The heavily
shaded areas are planted in hosta with some other shade perennials
· Hanging baskets are planted with a variety
of flowers and yams that will last through the fall
Summer
· Summer Flowers
o
The
beds are planted in perennials, i.e. catoneasters, with a great variety of
colors
o
The
box (4’ x 4’) is planted with annuals
and the choice changes each year
Fall
· The summer flowers are those that continue
blooming into the fall
· Lawn:
fertilize in late fall (November)
· Rake leaves (1/2” deep for dethatching)
· Mulching for perennials. Leaves and pine needles are left in the
hostas.
Winter
· Keep it clean and neat
· Evergreens can provide some color other
than brown and the fruit of some bushes, e.g. Oregon grape and holly can
provide other color.
· http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/so-many-cabbages-so-little-time
this website describes how winter cabbage can be grown. This would be an interesting addition to a
winter garden.
